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Quantum Field Theory of Nonabelian Strings and Vortices

Alford, Mark G. and Lee, Kai-Ming and March-Russell, John and Preskill, John (1992) Quantum Field Theory of Nonabelian Strings and Vortices. Nuclear Physics B, 384 (1-2). pp. 251-317. ISSN 0550-3213. doi:10.1016/0550-3213(92)90468-Q. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20120314-135053542

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Abstract

We develop an operator formalism for investigating the properties of non-abelian cosmic strings (and vortices) in quantum field theory. Operators are constructed that introduce classical string sources and that create dynamical string loops. The operator construction in lattice gauge theory is explicitly described, and correlation functions are computed in the strong-coupling and weak-coupling limits. These correlation functions are used to study the long-range interactions of non-abelian strings, taking account of charge-screening effects due to virtual particles. Among the phenomena investigated are the Aharonov-Bohm interactions of strings with charged particles, holonomy interactions between string loops, string entanglement, the transfer of “Cheshire charge” to a string loop, and domain-wall decay via spontaneous string nucleation. We also anayze the Aharonov-Bohm interactions of magnetic monopoles with electric flux tubes in a confining gauge theory. We propose that the Aharonov-Bohm effect can be invoked to distinguish among various phases of a non-abelian gauge theory coupled to matter.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/9112038arXivUNSPECIFIED
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0550-3213(92)90468-QDOIUNSPECIFIED
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/055032139290468QPublisherUNSPECIFIED
Alternate Title:Quantum Field Theory of Non-abelian Strings and Vortices
Additional Information:© 1992 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. Received 6 January 1992. Accepted 15 May 1992. Available online 18 October 2002. We thank Hoi-Kwong Lo, and, especially, Martin Bucher, for helpful discussions. This work was supported by DOE grant DE-AC03-81-ER40050, and by NSF grants NSF-PHY-87-14654, NSF-PHY-90-21984 and NSF-PHY-89-04035. J.M.R. and M.G.A. wish to thank the Aspen Center for Physics and, especially, the Caltech Physics Department, for their hospitality during portions of this work.
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
Department of Energy (DOE)DE-AC03-81-ER40050
NSFPHY-87-14654
NSFPHY-90-21984
NSFPHY-89-04035
Other Numbering System:
Other Numbering System NameOther Numbering System ID
PUPTPUPT-91-1288
CALTCALT-68-1700
NSF-ITPNSF-ITP-91-128
Issue or Number:1-2
DOI:10.1016/0550-3213(92)90468-Q
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20120314-135053542
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20120314-135053542
Official Citation:Mark G. Alford, Kai-Ming Lee, John March-Russell, John Preskill, Quantum field theory of non-abelian strings and vortices, Nuclear Physics B, Volume 384, Issues 1–2, 5 October 1992, Pages 251-317, ISSN 0550-3213, 10.1016/0550-3213(92)90468-Q.
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:29723
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:20 Mar 2012 23:17
Last Modified:09 Nov 2021 19:28

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